Mark Ghaly, M.D., MPH, California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) secretary, has extended California’s indoor mask mandate by another full month. The masking requirement intended to combat the coronavirus pandemic now runs through February 15. While citing a recent surge in the state’s positivity rate to over 21 percent, Ghaly also noted data on […]
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Fed-OSHA seeks suggestions for strengthening VPP
Fed-OSHA is holding a stakeholder meeting July 17, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the future direction of its Voluntary Protection Programs. The agency’s aim is to “reshape VPP so that it continues to represent safety and health excellence, leverages partner resources, further recognizes the successes of long-term participants, and supports smart program growth.” Fed-OSHA is […]
Curated Content Articles of Interest from Around the Web
- Carnival Cruise Line won’t require unvaccinated guests to apply for an exemption to sail after Sept. 6, but the changes are subject to local restrictions.
- Princess Cruises will remove vaccination requirements on Sept. 6 for most voyages that are less than 16 days after requiring unvaccinated guests to have vaccine exemptions.
- Royal Caribbean Group, which includes Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, will allow travelers regardless of vaccination status beginning Sept. 5.
- The announcements came after Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises said unvaccinated passengers would be allowed on many cruises starting Sept. 3.
- Ibrahim K. Boyd, 32, of Albany, N.Y. allegedly engaged in fraudulent schemes to obtain government benefits and other funds for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The indictment alleges that Boyd submitted a false unemployment insurance application using the personal information of another person to the New York State Department of Labor.
- He reportedly obtained more than $16,000 in benefits for his personal gain.
- Boyd allegedly made up two fake businesses to obtain a Paycheck Protection Program loan and U.S. Small Business Administration disaster-related funding, totaling more than $28,000.
- Research estimates that 13% of workplace injuries can be attributed to fatigue, and 43% of American workers admit they may be too tired to function safely at work.
- Employers can reduce the risk of fatigue and assist employees by rotating shift schedules or frequent night shift schedules that face high risks for fatigue.
- Employers should void assigning permanent night-shift schedules if possible, avoid long shift lengths ± no longer than 12 hours — and provide adequate time to recover between shifts.
- Employees should be given more input into their schedules and given frequent breaks within shift obligations.
- OSHA’s Region 3 Administrator, which covers Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C., will be part of a Regional Emphasis Program for Warehousing Operation.
- The initiative seeks to reduce injury/illness rates in the warehousing industry by conducting comprehensive inspections to address hazards.
- These risks may include those associated with powered industrial trucks, lockout/tagout, life safety, means of egress, and fire suppression.
- The REP applies to warehouses, storage, and distribution yard operations in Region 3 and will not be applied to marine terminals or shipyards, and is set to expire in five years unless renewed.
News Digest 8-16-2022
Cruise lines dropping COVID-19 vaccination requirements
Man arraigned on pandemic-related fraud charges
Worker fatigue leads to injuries
OSHA to inspect three regional warehousing facilities